In the endless ocean that has not been explored by humans, everyone's eyes are fixed on the sonar on the dashboard, which is the only equipment they can currently detect.
Under Charles' order, the searchlights of the eleven submarines had all been turned off, and even the glass curtains had been drawn.
He knew what was underneath the tube and what the consequences would be if he looked at it. In this situation, human vision could be said to be a burden.
The first mate, second mate, captain, and helmsman all came to the cockpit of the Narwhal. No one spoke. The only sound in the cabin was the breathing of each other, except for the sounds coming from the dashboard.
The atmosphere in the cabin was very solemn, and even Nico, who was usually used to making dirty jokes, lost interest.
"Reporting at 18:00, everything is normal on the Girl and Love."
"Reporting at 18:00, everything is normal on the Scorpion Tail."
The time announcement from the loudspeaker finally made the depressing atmosphere a little lighter, but before they finished, everyone's body suddenly began to tremble slightly uncontrollably, and an inexplicable voice appeared in everyone's mind, that weird and strange murmur.
Charles quickly rushed to the sonar screen and stared at it solemnly. Although nothing came out of it, he understood that they were getting close to the god.
"All ships should be arranged in a long snake formation! Each ship should be spaced three kilometers apart. The reporting time should be shortened to every three minutes. Please continue to report any situation!"
Under Charles's command, the team of exploration ships began to lengthen. In this case, even if the front exploration ship was noticed by the god, it could buy time for other exploration ships.
Gradually, that kind of sound began to affect the mental state of the crew members. Everyone on the ship showed expressions of fear and terror on their faces. Even drinking the medicine specially prepared by Linda did not make them feel much better.
However, Charles did not react much. Ever since he devoured some souls from another dimension, he has become much better at this kind of spiritual pollution.
Another person who showed no reaction was Lily. The little mouse shrank into Charles' neck, grasped the collar with her little paws, and looked out cautiously, seemingly having no reaction at all.
As time passed, the whispering in the ears began to grow louder and louder. In the end, it was no longer a whisper, but a maddening scream. Fear and panic began to gradually consume everyone's mind.
Although the situation was so obvious, there was still no response from the sonar. They still hadn't found that person, which made Charles feel a little annoyed.
"Bang!!" A gunshot suddenly rang out from the loudspeaker, startling everyone.
"What's going on!" Charles quickly asked, holding the black square.
A female voice filled with pain came from inside, "My helmsman couldn't bear the pressure and shot himself. Governor, is it really okay to go on like this? If it's as you said, then here, here, below."
Her voice was filled with extreme panic, "There's a god down there!!"
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere on the ship suddenly froze, and the extreme panic in her heart spread to everyone's heart.
Anyone who can be an exploration captain knows what gods are, but they have rarely seen the legendary gods, because the moment anyone encounters a god at sea is the moment of his death.
Feeling that the others were beginning to get emotional, Charles quickly picked up the black microphone and shouted into the microphone, "Didn't I explain it to you clearly at the beginning? Did you just find out where we were going? Where is that arrogant attitude you had when you first came out? Do you want to go back on your word now?"
"But--"
"No buts! Since you've come all the way here, think about my position in the entire Earth Sea, and think about the consequences if you run away now!"
Charles had to do this. If he couldn't control this guy, the other exploration ships would probably escape soon.
The next mission is very dangerous, and someone must lead the way. If they don’t lead the way, then they will have to rely on the crew of the Narwhal.
As long as he can protect his family, Charles doesn't think there is anything wrong with what he says.
No one else was talking on the loudspeaker, only the sound of rapid breathing, as if someone was considering the stakes.
Of course, Charles also understood that intimidation alone would not work, and he had to give the opponent a beating.
"I have seen this god once, and I am alive and well now. Why would you be an explorer if you are afraid of death? I am making this clear. As long as you can return alive, in addition to the reward I promised you before, each of you will be given one square mile of land on Hope Island!"
Hearing this, all the captains' hearts began to burn with fear. Everyone knew how rare the land on Hope Island was now, and how valuable one square kilometer of land on Hope Island was. It could even be said that this amount of land could even be exchanged for an island.
The low morale began to rise, and the submarine in the dark deep sea began to move forward. Although the fear in their hearts was still increasing and people committed suicide from time to time, no one wanted to escape anymore.
Time passed by minute by minute, and just when Charles felt his head begin to buzz, good news finally came from the loudspeaker, "Governor! The sonar detected a giant object ahead!"
"Everyone, shut down the turbos! Turn off all interior lights! No one is allowed to talk!" After hearing Charles' words, everyone did as he said. The giant metal lump was suspended in the air like a coffin, and everyone's heart was pounding as they prepared for their final end.
Ten minutes passed, fifteen minutes passed, twenty minutes passed. Just when some people were biting their lower lips due to extreme nervousness, the next order from the Governor of Hope Island finally came, "Okay, very good, slowly, the Scorpion Tail at the front, slowly start the turbine, and start circling around the giant point on the sonar to search for the tubes on other islands."
Charles guessed right. After so many contacts, he had understood a pattern: to the gods, humans were nothing at all. It was not even worth paying attention to them. As long as the impact was minimized, they could act under their noses.
This is tantamount to dancing on the edge of a knife. If you are not careful, you will drown in the sea. It is estimated that except Charles, no one else in the world dares to do this.
Not long after, good news came from the Scorpion Tail. They found another pipe. Upon hearing this, the other exploration ships breathed a sigh of relief and began to move towards that direction.
(End of this chapter)